Polish President: Pro-European Choice Triumphs in Ukrainian Elections

KYIV, Ukraine, November 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The results of the October 28 parliamentary elections in Ukraine show the success of pro-European spirit in the country, according to the President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski. The state official noted that all political parties that made it to the Ukrainian parliament, but the communists, declared European integration of the country as one of their goals.

As a result of the elections, five political parties made it to the Ukrainian parliament. Pre-election plans, available at the official websites of the parties, provide their political views on the issue of European integration. The official agenda of the currently ruling Party of Regions states their intention to achieve Ukraine's associated membership in the EU, visa-free regime, and free trade. Oppositionist party Batkivshchyna (leader - Yulia Tymoshenko) listed plans to facilitate ratification of the association agreement and the free trade agreement with the EU, as well as visa-free regime.

Parliament newcomer - liberal party UDAR, headed by the world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, declared intention to get Ukraine join the European community. In their official pre-election plans both far right Svoboda and the Communist Party of Ukraine positively regarded the common European security system.

Additionally, the Polish leader outlined that, in order to grow closer to the EU, Ukraine needed to conduct justice and criminal prosecution reforms. At the moment, Ukraine is carrying out a reform program for the justice system in the country. A network of centers taking up pro bono cases has just been set up all over Ukraine. Starting January 1st, 2013, any person, resident or not, facing criminal legal charges in Ukraine will be entitled for free legal aid.

On November 1st, 2012, a new Criminal Code of Ukraine came into force. It provides for equal opportunities for each party in the criminal proceedings, for proceedings to be based on the principle of competitiveness, introduces the jury court, and limits the use of imprisonment penalty. Additionally, in September 2012, the President of Ukraine signed a new law regulating prosecution. The document allows for limiting the rights of a prosecutor, preventing the violation of human rights. The reforms were developed in accordance with the European standards and the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.